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CANONS OF MAYA PAINTING

A spatial analysis of Classic period polychromes

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  12 May 2008

Jennifer A. Loughmiller-Newman
Jennifer A. Loughmiller-Newman*
Affiliation:
Department of Anthropology, University at Albany, 231 Arts and Sciences Albany, NY 12222, USA
*
E-mail correspondence to:chuljenn@hotmail.com
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Abstract

This paper presents an analysis of the size and spatial organization of text segments and anthropomorphic figures on Classic Maya polychrome vases. Based on a sample of 110 vases that contain both text and images and are complete enough to measure the relevant variables, I demonstrate that a single set of canons for the sizes and placements of text segments and images, separately and with respect to one another, characterizes vessels throughout the polychrome-producing area. Both texts and images exhibit a three-level hierarchy of sizes, with standardized ratios of the primary-to-secondary level and of the secondary-to-tertiary level. Concurrently, significance is added to these sizes through vertical and horizontal arrangement on the vessel surface. This analysis confirms statistically what visual analysis has broadly speculated about in terms of proportion, scale, and similarities between styles. Data are also provided that illuminate issues in the method and meaning of scene layout and the representation of active and inactive figure illustration.

Type
Research Article
Information
Ancient Mesoamerica , Volume 19 , Issue 1 , Spring 2008 , pp. 29 - 42
Copyright
Copyright ©Cambridge University Press 2008

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